When World War II in Europe ended in 1945,the U.S. Army was faced with the difficult task of providing an
occupational force to enforce military government in Germany, while the
American public was clamoring for the quick demobilization of the armed
forces now that hostilities had ended. A large traditional occupation
force was out of the question; the solution arrived at which was to become
the United States Constabulary, an elite mechanized police force which
possessed a significant combat capability. The Constabulary became
operational on July 1, 1946 and the command was active until 1950, with
some individual Constabulary units remaining active until the end of 1952.Troopers were selected for their military efficiency, intelligence
and exemplary conduct, and the Constabulary maintained those standards
in obtaining replacements for personnel who departed the organization through
discharge and reassignment.The backbone of the Constabulary was the Squadron. As initially
organized, each squadron was authorized a headquarters, three mechanized
troops and two motorized troops. The mechanized troops were designed
to conduct mounted patrols and were equipped with M-8 Armored Cars and
1/4 ton Jeeps with or without mounted.30 caliber machine guns. The
motorized troops had a limited amount of transport and were used to conduct
dismounted patrols in urban areas and to man static positions. Another
operation of the Mounted Platoons was the colorful Horse Platoon.
This was believed to be the only mounted group in the U.S. Army and was
a feature of numerous military ceremonies since its activation on 1 October,
1945. Mounted platoons each had a complement of thirty horses.
The Horse Platoon became part of the 16th Constabulary Squadron {Separate}
on 1 May, 1946 the day the 16th Squadron was activated, in the reception
of Lt. Gen. Lucius D. Clay, Deputy U.S. Military Governor.Lt. Col. Samuel McClure Goodwin assumed command of the 16th Constabulary
Squadron {Separate} on the day of the squadron's activation. Major
Owen E. Woodruff was the squadron's Executive Officer. Maj. Gen. Frank
A. Keating, Commanding General, Berlin District, presented the squadron
with the National Standard on 6 May, 1946 at Patton Barracks, Lankwitz,
, Germany. However, as there was, already a Patton Barracks, the
squadron's billets at Lankwitz was changed to Oliver Barracks.On 25 April, 1947, Lt. Col. Goodwin relinquished command of the
squadron to Lt. Col. George C. Benjamin.The squadrons were assigned to the Constabulary Regiments, on a
basis of three per regiment. Nine Constabulary Regiments were stationed
in Germany and comprised the U.S. Zone Constabulary. These regiments
were organized into three Constabulary Brigades which reported directly
to Constabulary Headquarters. A separate regiment, the 4th, was headquartered
in Austria and had its subordinate units in Austria and West Berlin.
In addition to the thirty 'line' squadrons in the ten regiments, two special
squadrons existed and were assigned to the Constabulary Signal Squadron
was
created by the redesignation and conversion of various mechanized units
on occupation duty in Europe. Most of the 1st and 4th Armored Divisions
became Constabulary units, along with elements of the seven mechanized
cavalry groups and various other armored, tank destroyer and self-propelled
anti-aircraft units in Europe.Technically, these squadrons were attached and not assigned to the
Cavalry Groups; however, they served with their parent group throughout
the campaign in Europe. Note that for the majority of the cavalry
squadrons, official sources disagree as to whether they were designated
"Mecz" before their redesignation as Constabulary Squadrons.The United States Zone Constabulary began a one month test period
on 1 June, 1946, and became fully operational on 1 July. The Constabulary
units in Austria and Berlin, also became operational at about the same
time.The biggest problem faced by the Constabulary were the shortage
of personnel and the high rate of turnover. By early 1947, the personnel
shortage had forced a reorganization which included a deactivation of one
"line" troop per Constabulary Squadron. In the Spring of 1947, the
european Theater experience a troop cut and, as a result, the Constabulary
was greatly affected by the reorganization, which began on 1 July, 1947.
In addition, within the squadrons, all motorized troops were eliminated
and each squadron reorganized to consist of a headquarters and headquarters
troop and four mechanized troops. When the reorganization was complete,
eleven o the thirty-two Constabulary Squadrons had been eliminated.On 15 August, 1947, Lt. Col. Benjamin relinquished command of the
squadron to Lt. Col. Robert C. Works. During 1947, the 16th Squadron
operated the Autobahn Patrols on the International Autobahn which lead
through the Russian one of occupation. The Nahmitz Outpost on the
Autobahn was operated by the 16th Squadron as well as a tour of guard duty
at Spandau Prison.On 12 January, 1948, the Squadron Colors wee presented at a squadron
parade by Col. Robert A. Willard, Commanding Officer, Berlin Command.
Sixteen months later, Col. Willard became the fourth squadron commander.On 10- February, 1948, the 16th Squadron was reorganized and redesigned
as follows: Headquarters and Headquarters Service Troop and A, B, C, and
D Troops were formed. As a result of reorganization, E Troop was
lost from the squadron.On 16 June, 1948, the "Iron Curtain" reached out and closed Berlin
to the outside world by blocking the city, leaving it with the threat of
communism. Considering the terrible hardship in a city desperately
short of life essentials; food, clothing, housing, and fuel, and considering
the depletion of American forces, the officers and men of the 16th Squadron
still performed their duties efficiently and exceeding well as security
troops. It was then when the Berlin Airlift was formed and progressed
to become one of the most successful events in America's strive for freedom
throughout the world. The 16th Constabulary Squadron [Separate]
assumed a special commitment in the airlift for blockaded Berlin.
This commitment required three hundred and twelve enlisted men and twelve
officers every forty-eight hours. This duty was rotated every month
with the 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. By December, 1948,
the officers' duty was decreased to six due to the efficiency and supervisory
capacity demonstrated by the non-commissioned officers of the squadron.In 1948, the final, major, reorganization of the Constabulary took
place. Up to this point, the Constabulary had been strictly an internal
security force. However, by early 1948, it was becoming obvious
that the U.S. S. R. posed a threat to the West and , to reflect this, the
role of the Constabulary troops began to change. In April, 1948,
the Constabulary troops began to reorganize as tactical units equipped
with M-8, the 2nd, 6th, and 14th Constabulary Regiments began to reorganize
as Armored Cavalry Regiments [ACR's]/ By the end of 1948 this reorganization
was complete; the three ACR's were assigned to the Constabulary and provided
the majority of its combat power. The ACR's were responsible for
guarding the border a providing a mobile reserve while the few Constabulary
Squadrons left continued the mission of internal security.
There is some doubt as to whether the 53rd. Sqdn. was still active as of
3 January, 1949, although it is listed that way in official sources.On 1 February, 1949, the 16th Constabulary Squadron [Separate] was
relieved from assignment to the 4th Constabulary Regiment and assigned
to berlin Military Post.On the Spring of 1949, the 4th Constabulary Regiment was deactivated
and its 4th Squadron was redesigned as a reconnaissance unit. The
22nd and 53rd Squadrons had, already, been deactivated, while the 15th
Constabulary Squadrons, which had been deactivated earlier, was reactivated.
On 1 July, 1949, three years after the Constabulary had become fully operational,
the command consisted of two brigade headquarters, three ACR's, a Field
Artillery Group, several combat engineer, ordnance, transportation, etc.,
units, and only four Constabulary Squadrons. All of these units were
assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Constabulary. The Headquarters, United
States Constabulary was deactivated in November, 1950 and provided personnel
for the newly activated Headquarters, U.S. Seventh Army.On 10 November, 1950, Maj. Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, U.S. Commander
of Berlin, Col. Maurice W. Daniel, Commanding Officer, Berlin Military
Post, and Lt. Col. Charlie Y. Talbott, the fifth and last Commanding Officer,
16th Constabulary Squadron [Separate], passed the colors while trooping
the line as the 16th Squadron held its last parade at McNair Barracks.
Although the 16th Squadron was deactivated that year to become the 1st
Battalion of the newly formed 6th Infantry Regiment, it will long be remembered
throughout the Berlin community as the fines unit in that city.With this reorganization, the U.S. Army in Europe concluded its
period as an occupational force an reoriented itself as a defensive army
protecting its sector of West Germany. However, the requirement
for Constabulary units still remained; the last of two soldiered on for
two years after the deactivation of Constabulary Headquarters until the
final Constabulary performed their special mission as the mechanized police
force in occupied Germany and admirably lived up to their motto, "Mobility,
Vigilance, Justice."

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